Watch out, Hawaiian Bros: Restaurant chain with similar theme coming to Johnson County

Heads-up, Hawaiian Bros Island Grill. Another Hawaiian-themed restaurant chain is coming to your town.

Like Kansas City-based Hawaiian Bros, Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food was also founded by two brothers. But Kimo and Kalani Mack grew up on Oahu, Hawaii, and opened their first Mo’ Bettahs in 2008 in Utah. (Hawaiian Bros was founded in the KC area by brothers who grew up in Oregon.)

Now they are bringing their concept to the Kansas City market. They’ve leased the former KFC building at 7006 W. 75th St. in Overland Park, just east of Metcalf Avenue, and will remodel it for a late October opening.

And more are coming.

An Olathe location is slated to open by the end of the year, and the chain hopes to have six area restaurants operating by the end of 2022.

The menu includes teriyaki steak or chicken, katsu chicken, pork and shrimp tempura, all served with rice and macaroni salad, or a tossed salad. It also has guava cake for dessert, and family packs for four or six people.

“These are the traditional plate lunches that the brothers grew up on. We are known for our huge portions and great value,” said Alonso Castañeda, vice president of brand development and strategy for the chain.

The decor for the new Overland Park restaurant will include surfboards and paddles that have been in Hawaiian waters — considered sacred waters by the Mack brothers, Castañeda said. It will have 25 to 35 employees.

Mo’ Bettahs has 21 locations in Utah and two in Idaho.

KFC closed in the Overland Park building in late 2020. It had operated on the site since at least 1987.